EDS retain PL2 top spot thanks to impressive Boro triumph | OneFootball

Goals from Jaden Heskey, Emilio Lawrence and Divin Mubama saw City’s Elite Development Squad secure a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough to maintain top spot in Premier League 2 – and guarantee a place in the competition’s knockout stages.

Back in action just five days after Monday’s 2-0 home win over Tottenham, Ben Wilkinson’s young charges again delivered a mature, controlled performance on Teesside.

Heskey struck first just before the half hour to fire City ahead before Lawrence then doubled our advantage seven minutes before the break.

And Mubama then added a third 11 minutes from time to set the seal on another fine evening’s work.

The victory not only ensured City stay top of the PL2 table – but also means our Under-21s are now assured of a top-16 finish – and with it a place in the end of season knockout stages.

What happened

City keeper Oliver Whatmuff was the busier sot stopper in the early stages and needed to be alert on 10 minutes to block a 20-yard Luke Woolston effort.

Whatmuff was called into action once more on 20 minutes when Woolston again threatened.

But the young Blues’ measured approach and attacking prowess bore fruit on 28 minutes when Heskey struck to break the deadlock.

Mubama provided a fine assist and Heskey did the rest, converting with a fine left footed strike for what was his third PL2 goal of the season.

Six minutes later Wilkinson’s youngsters almost doubled our advantage.

Mubama rose to deliver a powerful header in the centre of the box that flashed just wide of the target.

But City didn’t have to wait too long for that second goal to arrive with Lawrence delivering a superb 39th minute finish to extend our advantage.

The winger executed a magnificent strike from the edge of the box to put City firmly in control.

Boro almost reduced the deficit just on the hour mark when Brayden Johnson saw his right foot shot cannon back off the bar.

But the Blues then came close to scoring again with Matty Henderson-Hall seeing a 64th minute effort blocked en route to goal.

However our pressure was eventually rewarded with a third goal on 79 minutes, Divin Mubama providing a clinical finish from Lakyle Samuel's assist to seal the deal.

How we lined up

Oliver Whatmuff was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Sameule, Max Alleyne, skipper Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Stephen Mfuni.

Charlie Gray was City’s holding midfielder with Jaden Heskey and Michael Okeke also in the engine room.

Divin Mubama was our central attacking focal point with Matty Henderson-Hall and Emilio Lawrence providing the width.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Fisher, Dede, Acheampong, Libdo, Samuels, Johnson, Patterson-Powell (Coulson 60), Woolston, Nkrumah, Stott, Lennon (Simpson 60)

Subs: Cartwright, Tawiah, Lloyd.

EDS XI: Whatmuff, Samuel, Alleyne, Simpson-Pusey (c), Mfuni, Gray, J Heskey, Okeke (Oboavwoduo 78), Henderson-Hall (R Heskey 69), Mubama (McFarlane 85), Lawrence

Subs: Naylor, Hudson.

What it means

City stay top of the Premier League 2 table and now are assured of a place in the top 16 – and a ticket to the knockout stages of the competition.

With second-placed Fulham drawing 2-2 at home to Everton, we sit top on 40 points from 16 points with the Londoners on 38 points.

What’s next

Our Under-21s are back in PL2 action next Friday (February 28) when we play host to Chelsea at the Joie Stadium.

Kick-off is at 19.00pm (UK) and CITY+ subscribers will be able to watch all the action live.